Session 4 - The Purpose of the Course

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We have created the Integral Education course in order to see into the future, to find out if it is possible to see it, if it is possible to approach it with reason and comprehension, as humans. A wise person looks ahead, examines, tries, and calculates. By doing so, one makes one's way easier and quicker, instead of wandering about like a blind man. Especially now that the proportions are global, thought of erring is alarming.

The Integral Education course aims to enlighten us in regard to the current state of affairs, but even more so in regard to the future state of affairs, and how to shift from the current state to the future one. We must know the nature of the change we must undergo, why specifically those changes, the reason for our current failures in our engagement, and the means by which to move into the new state.

Can we really relate to our current state as a "prenatal crisis," with Nature being our midwife, meaning our inner nature and the outside nature that press us and compel us to change and arrive at the new state? Is this natural for human development? If we knew the answers to these questions we could predict that state ahead of time.

For instance, think about the era of slavery. People didn't know that their next state would be one of relative freedom. They thought that they were shifting toward slavery because it is more convenient for them. After all, being slaves, they didn't need to worry for themselves. They only needed to work, and someone else worried about their food and shelter. They needed nothing more. The landlord tended to the slaves in order to profit from their work, and it paid him to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and so on, because he got from the slaves more than he invested in them. In that way, they were both working for their common benefit.

But all of a sudden, it became apparent that the slave owner would profit more if he let the slaves go free. Because their output was insufficient. If the owner gave them freedom, the slave would still work, the owner would get his share, and it would be more profitable for him than if he had to keep the slaves and tend to them. This is how society evolved to its next phase.

Today, as then, we are at a stage of a new development into a new state. The question is, "Why can't we see that new state? Why can't we plan it?" There are intelligent people, and vast experience from history and from science, the world is so developed. So why are we groping about as if we're blind—utterly incompetent? We can see it in all the international conferences, every research institute, and every university—psychologists, sociologists, and economists all seem to be lacking something in order to discover the actual solution

Why is it that we need to learn about the approaching life in such a bogus way? Why must we study out of a book instead of from life? This is truly unnatural; it's never happened to us. In the past, we felt that we needed to revolt, to change the environment, or to change human society. But now we don't. That is, we know that something must change, that everything must change, yet we don't know which string to pull. We have neither a means nor an end. We are helpless.

Engage Yourself

Question 1: The following clip is the beginning of an important video course given by "neurotoxicologist-turned-economist" Dr. Chris Martenson, on the challenges facing humanity in economics, energy, and the natural environment. [link to video clip here, if needed]

What similarities can you find between this clip and what you have learned so far in this course?

1. The world stands before a very significant change.

2. We have the ability to prepare for that change and shape the future.

3. The world is doomed and there’s nothing to do about it.

4. Answers 1 and 2.

Question 2: In your view, which of these statements best describes the goals of this course?

All of the above.

To help identify the new stage of development facing humanity.

To portray the current situation as a natural phase in human evolution.

To provide a new perspective on the world we live in.

Question 3: Have you ever experienced an incident where a new awareness of your situation has significantly improved your ability to cope with that situation? If so, describe that incident.

Question 4: What is happening during the present global crisis that has never happened before?

1. We don’t know what kind of future is waiting for us; we have to creatively envision our next state of development.

2. Hatred and an inability to cooperate prevail in human society.

3. For the first time, our eyes are open to seeing the world as a single system.

4. Life goes on. There is nothing in the current crisis that was not revealed earlier in the course of human history.